Health and wellbeing
Dental health
Dental health affects people's general health and wellbeing and is important for sound nutrition. Consequently, ensuring that people have access to preventative and early intervention dental care is critical.
However, in Australia half the population can't access good dental care. This is a particular problem for people on low incomes, Indigenous Victorians, people with a mental illness or disability, and refugees.
VCOSS endorses the recommendations in the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) Fair Dental Care for Low Income Earners report on dental care to ensure access to dental care by low income and disadvantaged Australians.
Victorian Oral Health Alliance
VCOSS is also a member of the Victorian Oral Health Alliance (VOHA). The VOHA is an informal and non-aligned group of consumer, welfare and professional bodies committed to improving public dental health in Victoria. The VOHA was formed in 2004 in the lead up to the last Federal Election, and campaigned on the basis of agreed positions on areas of need that should be addressed by the Commonwealth.